This page offers Aunt Jennifer’s Tiger  long answer type question for Class 12  from the book Flamingo.  We’ve put together a bunch of long answer type question based on assumption, creativity, extrapolation and critical thinking. These types of questions are introduced after 2024 in CBSE Board. So, practice to understand Aunt Jennifer’s Tiger  long answer type question

Aunt Jennifer’s Tiger Long Answer Type Question

1. How does Aunt Jennifer express her dreams and desires through her artwork in the poem Aunt Jennifer’s Tigers? (Answer in 120-150 words)

Answer: Aunt Jennifer expresses her dreams and desires through her artwork by creating tigers that are fearless and free. Unlike herself, the tigers move proudly, without fear. They represent the strength and freedom she wishes she had.

Aunt Jennifer is trapped in her marriage, and her real life is full of burdens and responsibilities. Sewing the tigers is her way to escape from these struggles. The tigers show her hidden desire for independence and bravery.

Even though Aunt Jennifer is weak in her real life, the tigers she creates are bold and full of life. Through her art, Aunt Jennifer can imagine herself as free and powerful. The tigers are her way of expressing her dreams that she cannot achieve in her everyday life.

2. Why does Aunt Jennifer find it difficult to pull the needle, as described in Adrienne Rich’s poem Aunt Jennifer’s Tigers? (Answer in 120-150 words)

Answer: Aunt Jennifer finds it difficult to pull the needle because of the weight of her responsibilities. The poet uses this to show how Aunt Jennifer feels in her real life. Her marriage is like a heavy burden, and it limits her freedom and happiness.

The needle seems hard for her to use because it symbolises her struggles and fears. She is controlled by her duties, which makes her weak. The “wedding band” on her finger represents her responsibilities, and it weighs her down.

Sewing is supposed to be a simple task, but Aunt Jennifer finds it hard because she feels so much pressure. The struggle with the needle shows how powerless she feels in her life, compared to the strength of the tigers she sews.

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• Aunt Jennifer’s Tiger Introduction

3. How do the tigers in Aunt Jennifer’s Tigers represent Aunt Jennifer’s hidden desires? (Answer in 120-150 words)

Answer: In the poem, the tigers represent Aunt Jennifer’s hidden desires for freedom and bravery. The tigers she sews are fearless, proud, and move without fear of anything. They are everything Aunt Jennifer is not in her real life. She is weak and feels trapped in her marriage. Aunt Jennifer wants to be strong and independent, like the tigers she creates.

By sewing these powerful tigers, she is trying to express the part of her that wishes to be free. The tigers do not face any limitations, unlike Aunt Jennifer, who has many responsibilities.

They reflect her wish to live without fear and to have control over her life. Through her art, she shows her dreams and desires that she cannot achieve in her daily life.

4. What does the phrase “ringed with ordeals” mean in the poem Aunt Jennifer’s Tigers, and how does it relate to Aunt Jennifer’s life? (Answer in 120-150 words)

Answer: The phrase “ringed with ordeals” means that Aunt Jennifer’s life is surrounded by many difficulties and struggles. In the poem, it refers to the problems and burdens she faces in her marriage.

Aunt Jennifer feels trapped by her responsibilities, which makes her feel weak and helpless. The word “ringed” suggests that she cannot escape from her problems. She is stuck in a cycle of duties and expectations.

The “wedding band” on her finger represents these responsibilities, which limit her freedom. Aunt Jennifer’s life is full of challenges, and she cannot easily find a way out. This is why the tigers she creates are so important—they represent her dreams of being free and fearless, unlike her real life, which is full of struggles.

Also Read:

• MCQs of Aunt Jennifer’s Tiger
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• Aunt Jennifer’s Tiger Very Short answer Type Question
• Aunt Jennifer’s Tiger Moral and Message

5. How does the poet use the image of the tigers to contrast Aunt Jennifer’s own situation in Aunt Jennifer’s Tigers? (Answer in 120-150 words)

Answer: The poet uses the image of the tigers to show the big difference between Aunt Jennifer’s dreams and her real life. The tigers are bold, fearless, and free. They move with confidence and do not fear anything. This is very different from Aunt Jennifer’s life. Aunt Jennifer feels weak and trapped because of her responsibilities.

She has many struggles in her marriage that make her feel powerless. The tigers show everything Aunt Jennifer wants to be but cannot. They represent the courage and freedom that Aunt Jennifer dreams of having. In contrast, she finds it hard to even pull the needle while sewing.

The poet uses this image to show how Aunt Jennifer’s life is limited, while the tigers show the strength and bravery she wishes she had.

6. Why do you think the tigers continue to prance even after Aunt Jennifer’s death, as mentioned in Aunt Jennifer’s Tigers? (Answer in 120-150 words)

Answer: The tigers continue to prance even after Aunt Jennifer’s death because they represent her spirit and dreams. In the poem, Aunt Jennifer creates tigers that are fearless and bold. These tigers show her hidden desires for strength and freedom.

Even though Aunt Jennifer may not have felt free in her life, the tigers she made will continue to live on. The tigers are a lasting image of her wishes and her courage. They show that Aunt Jennifer’s spirit will remain strong, even after she is gone.

While her life may have been full of struggles and limitations, the tigers will keep moving “proud and unafraid.” They symbolise her dreams of bravery, which will not die with her. The tigers give Aunt Jennifer a way to be remembered for her strength.

7. How is Aunt Jennifer’s marriage portrayed in the poem Aunt Jennifer’s Tigers, and what message does it give about her life? (Answer in 120-150 words)

Answer: In Aunt Jennifer’s Tigers, Aunt Jennifer’s marriage is shown as something that is heavy and controlling. The poet, Adrienne Rich, uses symbols like the “wedding band” to show how Aunt Jennifer feels trapped by her marriage. The band is heavy, and it limits her freedom. It represents the responsibilities and duties that she cannot escape.

Aunt Jennifer struggles with her marriage, and it makes her feel weak and powerless. She finds it hard to pull the needle while sewing, which shows how much she struggles in her life. Her marriage is a burden that she has to carry.

Through her art, Aunt Jennifer tries to express her hidden desires for freedom and bravery. The poem gives the message that Aunt Jennifer’s marriage prevents her from living a happy and free life.

8. How do you think Aunt Jennifer’s tigers can be seen as a form of silent protest, as depicted in Aunt Jennifer’s Tigers? (Answer in 120-150 words)

Answer: In Aunt Jennifer’s Tigers, the tigers can be seen as a form of silent protest because they show what Aunt Jennifer wants but cannot say. Aunt Jennifer’s real life is full of struggles, and she feels trapped by her marriage.

She cannot openly talk about her feelings of being unhappy. However, through her artwork, she creates tigers that are strong, bold, and free. These tigers represent her wish to be fearless and independent. Even though Aunt Jennifer cannot speak about her struggles, her tigers show her true feelings. They are a way for her to express herself without using words.

The tigers are a symbol of what Aunt Jennifer dreams of—being free from the control of her marriage. In this way, they are her quiet protest against the limits placed on her life.

9. How does the poet show Aunt Jennifer’s struggle for freedom through her actions in the poem Aunt Jennifer’s Tigers? (Answer in 120-150 words)

Answer: In Aunt Jennifer’s Tigers, the poet shows Aunt Jennifer’s struggle for freedom through her actions, like sewing the tigers. Aunt Jennifer creates tigers that are fearless and free, which shows her hidden desire for strength. She feels trapped by her marriage and its responsibilities, but she tries to express herself through her art.

While sewing, she struggles to pull the needle, which symbolises her difficulty in dealing with the weight of her duties. The “wedding band” on her finger is also a heavy burden that limits her freedom.

Through these small actions, like sewing and struggling with the needle, Aunt Jennifer tries to show her wish to break free from her troubles. Her tigers represent her hope to one day feel brave and strong, even if she cannot achieve it in real life.

10. Why is the title Aunt Jennifer’s Tigers significant, and what does it tell us about Aunt Jennifer’s hopes and dreams? (Answer in 120-150 words)

Answer: The title Aunt Jennifer’s Tigers is significant because it focuses on the tigers that Aunt Jennifer creates, which represent her hopes and dreams. The tigers are fearless, strong, and free, showing everything that Aunt Jennifer wants to be but cannot. In her real life, Aunt Jennifer is weak and feels trapped by her marriage.

She has many responsibilities that limit her freedom and happiness. The tigers in the title show Aunt Jennifer’s hidden wish to be bold and independent. They are a symbol of her courage and her desire for a better life.

Even though Aunt Jennifer struggles in her life, the tigers she creates will continue to be proud and fearless. The title tells us that Aunt Jennifer’s dreams of freedom and strength are important and will last, even when she is gone.

11. How might the tigers in the poem Aunt Jennifer’s Tigers reflect her desire for freedom and strength? Discuss the symbolic meaning behind the tigers and how they contrast with Aunt Jennifer’s reality. (Answer in 120-150 words)

Answer:The tigers in Aunt Jennifer’s Tigers are symbols of strength and freedom. They move with confidence and do not fear anything around them. This is very different from Aunt Jennifer’s real life. She feels weak and controlled by her marriage.

The tigers show the freedom and courage that Aunt Jennifer wants but cannot have. While she feels trapped in her life, the tigers are bold and strong. They represent her hidden wishes to break free from the rules that control her.

Aunt Jennifer’s artwork might be the only place where she can create such powerful and free creatures. In reality, she cannot experience the same freedom that the tigers enjoy. This contrast shows her struggles and desires.

12. What does the ‘massive weight of Uncle’s wedding band’ in the poem Aunt Jennifer’s Tigers suggest about marriage in Aunt Jennifer’s life? Could it mean more than just a physical object? (Answer in 120-150 words)

Answer:The ‘massive weight of Uncle’s wedding band’ suggests that Aunt Jennifer feels burdened in her marriage. The wedding band symbolises the control and power her husband holds over her. It is not just a physical object but represents the heavy responsibilities and restrictions of her married life. The word ‘massive’ shows how she feels trapped by these duties.

This weight affects her deeply, not only physically but also emotionally. It reflects the oppression she faces in her marriage. Aunt Jennifer’s inability to pull the needle easily could be linked to the weight of the ring, symbolising the struggles she endures. This image shows that her marriage is something she cannot escape, and it weighs her down, both in life and spirit.

13. Why might Aunt Jennifer, in the poem Aunt Jennifer’s Tigers, create tigers that are brave and strong, even though she is timid? What could this tell us about her inner wishes or struggles? (Answer in 120-150 words)

Answer:Aunt Jennifer creates tigers that are brave and strong because they represent qualities she desires but cannot express. The tigers are fearless, confident, and free, which is the opposite of Aunt Jennifer’s timid nature. In her real life, she feels trapped and controlled by her marriage.

Through her artwork, she creates a world where these powerful creatures live without fear. This shows her inner wish for freedom and strength, something she cannot achieve in reality. The tigers symbolise the courage she lacks in her own life.

By creating them, she might be expressing her hidden struggles and her desire to break free from her controlled life. Her artwork becomes a way for her to experience the strength and independence she cannot find in her everyday life.

14. How can Aunt Jennifer’s ‘fluttering fingers’ in Aunt Jennifer’s Tigers be seen as a symbol for the larger struggles women face? Think about how this image might have a deeper meaning. (Answer in 120-150 words)

Answer:Aunt Jennifer’s ‘fluttering fingers’ can be seen as a symbol of the struggles many women face in life. Her trembling hands show her weakness and fear, reflecting the pressure she feels in her marriage. This small image hints at a larger problem—how women are often burdened by societal expectations.

Aunt Jennifer’s difficulty in pulling the needle shows how she feels powerless and unable to take control of her own life. The ‘fluttering fingers’ could symbolise the lack of freedom women experience, as they are often weighed down by the roles they are forced to play.

This detail highlights the idea that many women, like Aunt Jennifer, struggle quietly, unable to express their true desires or gain control over their own lives. It speaks to the emotional and societal restrictions placed on women.

15. In the poem Aunt Jennifer’s Tigers, the tigers will still be bold and fearless even after Aunt Jennifer dies. What could the poet be suggesting about art lasting longer than human life? (Answer in 120-150 words)

Answer:The poet suggests that Aunt Jennifer’s tigers, symbols of strength and fearlessness, will continue to exist even after her death. This shows that while human life is temporary, art can last much longer.

Aunt Jennifer’s own life was filled with struggles and restrictions, but through her artwork, she created something that is bold and unafraid. The tigers represent the qualities she could not show in her own life, but through her art, these qualities live on.

The poet might be implying that art has the power to preserve emotions, desires, and dreams, even when the person who created it is no longer alive. Aunt Jennifer’s tigers, unlike her, are free and proud, and this suggests that art can provide an eternal escape from the limitations of life.

16. In the poem Aunt Jennifer’s Tigers, how does creativity help people deal with personal struggles? Discuss how having a creative outlet, like Aunt Jennifer’s, can help overcome emotional or social difficulties. (Answer in 120-150 words)

Answer: Having a creative outlet like Aunt Jennifer’s tigers is important for dealing with personal struggles. It allows people to express their emotions and thoughts when words are not enough. In the poem Aunt Jennifer’s Tigers, the tigers represent strength and freedom, qualities that Aunt Jennifer lacks in her life.

Through her art, she creates a world where she can live out her hidden desires. Creativity provides an escape and a form of self-expression that can help people feel less trapped by their situations. Whether it is through painting, writing, or music, creativity offers a way to release inner emotions.

It can also give people strength to cope with challenges. Just as Aunt Jennifer finds relief in her artwork, creativity helps others overcome emotional or societal limits.

17. In the poem Aunt Jennifer’s Tigers, how does Aunt Jennifer’s marriage show a lack of respect and equality? Explain what values are needed for a healthy relationship and how unequal power affects a person’s mental and emotional well-being. (Answer in 120-150 words)

Answer: A healthy relationship is built on mutual respect and equality. In the poem Aunt Jennifer’s Tigers, Aunt Jennifer’s marriage is oppressive, symbolised by the ‘massive weight of Uncle’s wedding band.’ This shows how one partner’s control can lead to feelings of being trapped. Respect means valuing each other’s opinions, needs, and emotions.

Equality ensures that both people have an equal say in decisions. When one person dominates the relationship, it creates an imbalance of power, leading to frustration, anxiety, or even depression. Aunt Jennifer’s inability to find freedom in her marriage affects her emotionally.

This lack of balance weakens her self-worth and identity. Relationships should nurture both individuals, allowing them to grow. Without respect and equality, a relationship becomes harmful, as seen in Aunt Jennifer’s case.

18. In the poem Aunt Jennifer’s Tigers, Aunt Jennifer creates brave tigers, though she is timid. What does this show about the importance of inner strength and confidence? How can people build these qualities, even when restricted? (Answer in 120-150 words)

Answer: Aunt Jennifer’s tigers in the poem Aunt Jennifer’s Tigers are symbols of inner strength and self-confidence. Even though she is timid and feels powerless, her art shows the qualities she wishes to have. Inner strength and self-confidence are important because they allow people to overcome challenges and face difficult situations.

People can build these values by recognising their abilities and setting small goals. Even when they feel restricted, finding a way to express themselves, like Aunt Jennifer does through her art, can help them grow. Support from friends or family can also provide encouragement.

Developing inner strength requires patience and self-belief. Aunt Jennifer’s tigers remind us that even if we cannot always show strength on the outside, we can still nurture it inside through our passions and creativity.

19. In Aunt Jennifer’s Tigers, Aunt Jennifer feels burdened by her marriage, shown by the ‘massive weight of Uncle’s wedding band.’ Why is freedom important in relationships, and how does its absence affect identity? Discuss the value of freedom and self-respect. (Answer in 120-150 words)

Answer: Freedom is essential in any relationship because it allows both individuals to express themselves fully. In the poem Aunt Jennifer’s Tigers, the ‘massive weight of Uncle’s wedding band’ shows how Aunt Jennifer feels trapped by her marriage. A lack of freedom can limit a person’s growth and destroy their sense of self.

Personal freedom is closely tied to self-respect, as both allow a person to maintain their identity. Without it, they may feel restricted, unable to pursue their own goals or happiness. This can lead to feelings of frustration or worthlessness, as we see in Aunt Jennifer’s life. Healthy relationships should give each person space to be themselves.

Personal freedom and self-respect help maintain individuality and confidence. Without them, a person’s identity becomes lost, leading to emotional struggles.

20. In Aunt Jennifer’s Tigers, the tigers are strong, but Aunt Jennifer feels weak. How important is it to confront challenges instead of avoiding them? Discuss how facing problems with courage leads to growth and empowerment. (Answer in 120-150 words)

Answer:In Aunt Jennifer’s Tigers, the tigers are bold and fearless, while Aunt Jennifer feels weak and trapped in her life. This contrast shows the importance of facing challenges head-on rather than avoiding them.

When people confront their problems, they have the opportunity to grow and learn. Avoiding challenges only makes the situation worse and keeps a person stuck in fear or frustration. Facing problems with courage, on the other hand, builds resilience and confidence. It helps people discover their own strengths and capabilities.

Personal growth often comes from overcoming difficulties, just as the tigers represent the courage Aunt Jennifer lacks. When individuals take control of their struggles, they feel empowered. Confronting challenges leads to self-awareness and the development of important life skills, helping them become stronger and more independent.

21. In Aunt Jennifer’s Tigers, the tigers are fearless while Aunt Jennifer lives in fear. How does this contrast show the power of imagination in shaping identity? How can creativity help someone escape a difficult reality? (120-150 words)

Answer:In Aunt Jennifer’s Tigers, the fearless tigers represent the power of imagination and creativity. Aunt Jennifer uses her art to create a world where strength and freedom exist, qualities she cannot show in her real life.

Through her imagination, she expresses what she wishes for herself. This shows that creativity allows people to escape their painful realities by giving them a way to express emotions they can’t show openly. Aunt Jennifer’s tigers reflect her inner desire for independence and courage.

By creating such powerful images, she gains some control over her otherwise restricted life. Imagination and creativity, like Aunt Jennifer’s, can help people shape their identity and deal with their struggles.

22. In the poem, Aunt Jennifer’s ‘terrified hands’ remain ‘ringed with ordeals’ even after her death. What might this say about the lasting impact of struggles? Can someone ever truly escape these pressures? (120-150 words)

Answer:The image of Aunt Jennifer’s ‘terrified hands’ being ‘ringed with ordeals’ in Aunt Jennifer’s Tigers shows how deeply her struggles are embedded. Even after her death, the weight of her marriage and societal expectations remain with her. This implies that some burdens, especially those tied to societal pressures, can leave a lasting mark on individuals.

Aunt Jennifer’s inability to escape these pressures, even in death, suggests that unless faced head-on, these struggles might stay unresolved. It raises the question of whether true freedom from societal constraints is ever fully possible. The poem portrays that these struggles can follow a person throughout life and even beyond, highlighting the power of societal oppression.

23. The word ‘chivalry’ is used to describe the tigers in Aunt Jennifer’s Tigers. How does this choice of word reflect gender roles in Aunt Jennifer’s life? How do the tigers challenge these roles? (120-150 words)

Answer:In Aunt Jennifer’s Tigers, the tigers are described as ‘chivalric,’ a word typically associated with masculine qualities like bravery and nobility. This choice of word highlights the rigid gender roles that exist in Aunt Jennifer’s life. The men around her, like her husband, are expected to be strong and dominant, while Aunt Jennifer is expected to be timid and obedient.

However, the tigers, though chivalric, are creatures created by Aunt Jennifer, a woman. This contrast suggests that Aunt Jennifer has the potential for strength and courage, but it remains hidden due to the expectations placed on her. The tigers, as products of her imagination, represent her unexpressed desire to break free from these restrictive roles.

24. The tigers in the panel Aunt Jennifer created will continue to ‘prance, proud and unafraid’ after she dies. What does this tell us about the power of art to outlast human life? How can art be a form of resistance? (120-150 words)

Answer:In Aunt Jennifer’s Tigers, the tigers’ continued prancing after Aunt Jennifer’s death symbolises the lasting impact of art. While Aunt Jennifer herself was oppressed and fearful, her tigers, bold and fearless, live on as a reflection of her inner strength.

This shows that art can preserve ideas and emotions long after the creator is gone. Through her art, Aunt Jennifer finds a form of resistance against the restrictions of her life. The tigers represent her desire for freedom, and even though she cannot live that way, her artwork defies the constraints of her reality.

Art, in this case, becomes a permanent form of expression and empowerment, offering a way to challenge oppression and ensure that personal desires and beliefs endure.

25. The ‘massive weight of Uncle’s wedding band’ in Aunt Jennifer’s Tigers symbolises the burdens she carries. How does this reflect emotional struggles, and why is emotional freedom important? (120-150 words)

Answer:In Aunt Jennifer’s Tigers, the ‘massive weight of Uncle’s wedding band’ symbolises the emotional and mental burden Aunt Jennifer feels in her marriage. It reflects how oppressive relationships can weigh heavily on an individual, trapping them emotionally.

This burden impacts Aunt Jennifer’s life, preventing her from experiencing emotional freedom and self-expression. Emotional freedom is important because it allows people to live without fear or control, and it nurtures self-respect and independence.

Without it, individuals, like Aunt Jennifer, may feel suffocated and unable to fully express their identity. The poem highlights how these emotional weights can destroy one’s spirit, making the need for emotional freedom and self-respect essential for living a healthy and fulfilled life.